A few terms explained

Affordable rental: In some cases when the family is not eligible for the income related rent subsidy, the community housing organisation may provide rental on a 75-80% of market rent basis. As a household’s income increases, reassessment can occur and may result in payment of a full market rent.

Assisted rental: Subsidised rental only. Rents funded by a tenant portion with the balance of the market rent provided by the Accommodation Supplement, or set at 70-80% of market rent with other capital funding provided.

Assisted ownership is offered to help people who may not be able to access market ownership options usually through two different types of programmes:

Rent-to-buy programmes provide an affordable rental accommodation but with the ability to purchase the home, as a portion of the rent is accrued toward the cost of the deposit.

Shared ownership, affordable equity, programmes enable a family to qualify to purchase typically 60-85% of the market value of the home through a tenants-in-common legal agreement with the community housing organisation holding the remaining % share.

CHO: a community housing organisation is any community-based housing service who shares the following characteristics:

not-for-profit organisation

representative of and engaged with the communities they work within

responsive to their tenants

have the goal of providing long-term, affordable and appropriate housing

may have more than one service they provide in their community

may or may not receive Government funding.

CHP: a community housing provider (CHP) on the other hand, is the term used when referring to organisations regulated under the Community Housing Regulations Authority (CHRA).

CHRA: The Community Housing Regulatory Authority sets standards for community housing providers and regulates the sector. To receive IRRS housing subsidies a community housing provider must be CHRA registered.

Emergency housing: Temporary accommodation for individuals and families who have an urgent need for accommodation because they have nowhere else to stay, or are unable to remain in their usual place of residence.

Fully supported rental: Subsidised rental combined with wrap-around supportive services appropriate to the household needs. Rents are partly funded by a tenant portion with the balance of the market rent provided by the Income Related Rent Subsidy. Also includes the Community Group Housing programme.

IRRS: If a tenant qualifies for income-related rent the Government pays the difference between the tenant’s rent and market rent. For a community housing organisation to receive the IRRS subsidy you would need to be eligible and registered with the Community Housing Regulatory Authority (CHRA).

Market affordable: Full ownership, usually up to 75% of the median home price, for smaller units/homes within a development. Also known as ‘price-relative affordable housing’.

Social housing is provided for people who are most in need of housing and is provided by Government or local government (local authority).

Wrap-around services: This is a term used to describe social service support provided to tenants that are separate from the tenancy management services. These can be provided by the community housing organisation or another provider. Examples include disability support and budgeting services.

A vision for New Zealand

We have a vision of all New Zealanders well-housed, where choices are available across the range of housing that meet the varied needs of any household, at a price they can truly afford, today and tomorrow.

We see a future where mixed-income, mixed tenure communities are the norm, with high quality homes that are warm, dry, easy to take care of, and inexpensive to run and maintain.

These are homes that enhance health and well-being, homes we can be proud of, in communities that people feel part of, and where every person can have a stake in their future, whether they rent or own their home.